Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Wow, that was an unexpectedly lengthy absence. Sorry about that everyone; life just seems to be getting in the way of my entire blogging experience right now. I haven't been keeping up with my reading, with my commenting, and clearly not with my own blogging. I'm afraid the sporadic posting will continue for some time to come, because although I've finally wrapped everything up at my old job I'm now busy getting settled in at the new one, and Mark and I are furiously working away getting everything ready for our new rental apartment. But things are progressing nicely, and it sure does feel great to be in a job that I'm excited and hopeful about. It doesn't hurt that we're into our most glorious weather here in SF right now, so I'm enjoying days of bare limbs and sandals at last.

This outfit is a few weeks old now, but I'm happy to finally post it because it was an instant favorite. The knotted cardigan over the A-line dress has a classic 50's shape, but the bold black and red, bandage-style tights and studded boots give it a modern edge. This outfit was inspired by Prabal Gurung's fall RTW line, but it feels much more casual and easy to wear. I liked this outfit so much that I wore it that evening for girls' night out. I liked how the shiny silver necklace just peeks out at the edges of the cardigan, so as not to distract too much from the contrasty red and black.

Monday, September 12, 2011

This outfit is pretty much a repeat of a previous one, but with ponte knit pants replacing the original leggings, the red bag to add a little color, and a few accessories to jazz it up. The first time around I was going for a strict minimalist look, whereas this time I wanted to throw in a few more finishing touches. Since it's a repeat there's not too much else to say about this outfit, which is fine because today I have other things to talk about.

In the comments to Friday's post, many of you correctly guessed that my birthday wish was a new job. I'm surprised that no one pinpointed the specifics though: the outfits I posted were the ones I wore to my interviews. And yes, there were 5 separate rounds of interviews, mainly because people that I needed to interview with were either traveling or out of the office on different days, so the interviews were broken up. Good thing I have a wardrobe large enough to put together 5 interview-appropriate outfits.

Finding the perfect job has been my quest these last several years. I haven't been overly thrilled with my current job from the start, to be quite honest; it's a very large company and is mired in convoluted processes and absurd politics. But for all that, I respect what the company does and its commitment to finding treatments for serious diseases, and so I've stuck it out and made the most of it while I held out for just the right opportunity.

I knew it was really time to leave this job when I started blaming "the company" for irrational things such as the lousy South San Francisco weather. Admittedly, at times it really does feel like our campus was designed specifically for maximum discomfort and walking hazards, from the building layout that funnels in the icy afternoon wind, to the high-heel-destabilizing textured floor of the parking garage, to the multiple loading docks with their procession of large trucks that have to be crossed to reach the front door of the building I work in. Eventually I had become so ready to leave that every little inconvenience just soured me more and more.

I remember vividly getting off the bus one morning and seeing people smiling and greeting each other, and thinking, "These people seem to be happy here; what the hell is wrong with me?" But rationally I knew that it wasn't me, and it wasn't the company; it was like that relationship where although you care for the person and wish them well, you know that you can't continue as a couple because you bring out the worst in each other. It was simply time to move on. Luckily, that perfect opportunity I'd been hoping to find materialized at precisely the right time.

You guys, I could not be more excited about this new job. It's a very small start-up biotech company that's working on an exciting new technology for cancer indications. My job will take me in lots of different directions and although it'll be a lot of work, there's a real chance to make a substantial difference. Additionally I know several people there, including a very dear and trusted colleague who is also one of my best friends. But here's the kicker: the company is located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. My dream is realized!

So now you know one of the things I've been so preoccupied with these last couple of months. It has been hard to be patient, but finally I was able to give my notice and settle on a start date at the new place. Next Tuesday is my last day, and I'll start at the new job the following week. Not only that, but Mark and I are in the process of buying another house. In fact, we close escrow the same week that I start my new job. How's that for excitement?

Friday, September 9, 2011

Today is my birthday, and since I've decided to start counting in dog years, that means I'm 6. In fact, Georgie and I are the same age today (I made her birthday the same as mine since I don't know exactly when it is). Happy birthday to little Georgie; I wish Mark and I could take her out to dinner with us tonight, but apparently it violates some sort of health code in San Francisco.

Mark is taking me to Incanto, one of the best restaurants in town, to celebrate my big day. As exciting as that is, I've actually already gotten the thing I wished for the most, something I've wanted for a very long time, in fact.

There's even a style connection (isn't there always?), because the thing I've recently gotten has something to do with all of the outfits pictured here.

Can you guess what my wish was, and how these outfits relate to that wish?

This last one is an older outfit that was re-worn; the last time was with different hosiery and shoes,

Thursday, September 8, 2011

This outfit felt very elegant to me, and it was the first time I've worn this skirt with the top tucked in. I wasn't sure about wearing it this way because the top part of the skirt is so clingy, but the striped pattern as well as the angled panel at the waistline is in fact very figure-flattering. Adding the fluttery top and elastic belt also helped to give my waist definition. My legs felt a mile long with my waist being moved so far up my torso.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I hope all my friends here in the States had a fun Labor Day weekend. It was a little bittersweet knowing that the man was burning and we weren't there, but I had a great weekend nonetheless. I spent the last few days up in rural Oregon with my family, where we were joined by Jess as well as her mom. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a lot of laughs and drank a lot of wine. A few days in the country is definitely a lot more relaxing than Burning Man, that's for sure.

This outfit was my first attempt at wearing these flats with tights. Not being a flats sort of gal, I wasn't even sure if they could be worn this way. I think the outfit turned out alright overall, but I'm still a bit dubious about the tights/flats combo. It felt a little strange somehow, I think because I'm not used to seeing so much of the tights pattern stretched out horizontally; with heels, the tights make a longer, straighter line when I look down at my feet.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Here's another black and yellow combo, this time with brown as the intervening color. The belt serves as the transition piece that makes the brown and black work together; note how the antique brass hardware on the belt is in essence a repetition of the brown. I often deploy brass accessories in place of a true brown.

The cords are still hanging in there, and have proven to be more resilient than I imagined. I'm still feeling pretty lazy with regard to putting together really creative outfits, so I've been defaulting to pants quite often. Having a casual, non-denim pair in my wardrobe allows me to add a little variety.